Oct 9-22 Commute Solutions Month
commutesolutions.com

Tired of waiting in traffic? Are gas prices stressing you and your wallet? Try a Commute Solution!

It's Commute Solutions Month and The Commuter Challenge starts Sunday!
Use an alternative to driving alone in your car - ride the bus, ride a bike, car- or vanpool, telecommute - and win prizes! Enter at commutesolutions.com.

Prizes include:
$500 San Marcos Outlet Mall gift card
$250 Dell.com gift card
Driskill Hotel stay
Alien Scooter electric bike tours
Gift certificates to great local eateries and businesses

Your employer can win, too. Employers with the highest employee Challenge participation will be recognized.

Learn more about how to save money, time and hassle getting to and from Downtown at commutesolutions.com.

Oct 7 Ben Franklin: Unglugged
McCullough Theatre, 23rd & Robert Dedman
(512) 471-1444, utpac.org

What does it mean to be "American?" Or "Un-American?" Comic monologue artist Josh Kornbluth examines these timely questions in his revival of the hilarious, acclaimed Ben Franklin: Unplugged.

Oct 7- 10 Il Trovatore
Bass Concert Hall, 23rd & Robert Dedman
(512) 472-5992, austinlyricopera.org

Enter a bewitching world that simmers with curses, spells and mysteries, unexpected twists and turns. The tragic, mistaken identity of a baby sacrificed in vengeance, leads to a lifelong feud between two brothers, their fate entangled with a gypsy who brought it all to pass.

Oct 8, 12 Swingers
Paramount, 713 Congress Avenue
(512) 472-5470, austintheatre.org

Immerse yourself in a recently relocated stand-up comic's journey out of his mope fest over love gone bad. Riotously funny. Tickets on sale day-of-show only at The Paramount Theatre Box Office. Cash only for ticket purchases under $25.00.

Oct 8, 13, 15 The Big Lebowski
Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress Avenue
(512) 472-5470, austintheatre.org

Jeffrey "The Dude" Lebowski is the ultimate LA slacker, until one day his house is broken into and his rug is peed on by two angry gangsters who have mistaken him for Jeffrey Lebowski, the LA millionaire, whose wife owes some bad people some big money. Jeff Bridges plays "The Dude" to perfection with his side-kick, John Goodman. Tickets on sale day-of-show only at The Paramount Theatre Box Office. Cash only for ticket purchases under $25.00.

Still On Stage Downtown...

10/7-8: Violet Crown Radio Players, The Hideout Theatre, violetcrownradio.com
To 10/16: Charlotte's Web, Scottish Rite Theatre, scottishritechildrenstheatre.org
To 10/23: Steven Tomlinson's American Fiesta, State Theater, austintheatre.org
To 11/12: Keepin' It Weird, Zachary Scott, zachscott.com
Ongoing: Back-to-School Follies, Esther's Follies, esthersfollies.com
Ongoing: Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon 3D; Pulse: a STOMP Odyssey, Texas the Big Picture, Forces of Nature, Fighter Pilot, IMAX® Theatre, thestoryoftexas.com
Ongoing: The Star of Destiny, Texas Spirit Theater, thestoryoftexas.com

Oct 6 Angelic Strings CD Release Party
Central Presbyterian Church, 200 E. Eighth Street
(512) 472-2445, centralpresbyterian.org

Harpist Michael Frank Morris and Violist Belinda Morris together are the duet Angelic Strings. Join this week's Thursday Noontday Concert for the Angelic Strings CD release party.

Oct 7 John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers
Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress
(512) 472-5470, austintheatre.org

John Mayall pioneered what was to become known as The British Blues Boom giving the legendary guitarist the title "The Godfather of British Blues." This concert will prove to be a rockin' night of blues not to be forgotten.

Oct 7 Creative Opportunity Live
City Hall Plaza, 301 W. 2nd Street
cityofauston.org/music/live.htm

Head down to City Hall this Friday for live jazz with the Creative Opportunity Orchestra. The music and fun start at Noon - Live from the Plaza.

Oct 9 Fall Festival of Sound
Zilker Hillside Theater, 2100 Barton Springs Road
asband.org

Austin Synphonic Band's first outdoor concert of the season will present plenty of old favorites and a new favorite or two as well! Bring the whole family, spread out a blanket, and enjoy a picnic dinner as the stars come out for this free concert at 7:00 p.m.

Oct 9 Arcoíris Musicál: Dia de la Familia
Mexic-Arte Museum, 419 Congress
(512) 480-9373, austinchambermusic.org

The Austin Chamber Music Center and Mexic-Arte Museum proudly present Arcoíris Musicál: Dia de la Familia, a concert honoring the rich and varied repertoire of Latin-American concert music composers. Proceeds will benefit scholarships for Latino youth to attend the Austin Chamber Music Academy. This concert is free and open to the public. However, donations of $5/person or $10 per family will be appreciated.


Oct 10 Audio Inversions - Inaugural Concert
Austin Museum of Art, 823 Congress
audioinversions.com

Hear something new, hear something different -- experience Audio Inversions, featuring music by Gruber, Harrison, Rzewski, and Daugherty. This 8:00 p.m. concert is graciously being hosted by the Austin Museum of Art-Downtown. For more informtion visit: audioinversions.com.
Photography by Michael McGill and Advanced-Images.

Oct 6 West End Gallery Night
West End - Sixth Street - West of Lamar
inthegalleries.com

The galleries of the West End are open late for your enjoyment on the first Thursday of the month - open until 8:00 p.m. Stephen L. Clark Gallery, Wally Workman Gallery, F8 Fine Art Gallery, Lotus Gallery, Artworks, and Art on 5th.


Oct 6 Talking Art
Arthouse at the Jones Center, 700 Congress
arthousetexas.org

Arthouse Texas Prize 2005 artists present their work and favorite movie. Artist Robyn O'Neil presents McCabe and Mrs. Miller at 6:00 p.m. Program is free and open to the public.

Oct 6 Symposium: Landscapes in the American West
Harry Ransom Center, 21st & Guadalupe

Writer/environmentalists Rick Bass, John Elder and Robin Doughty respond to Ansel Adams's art and activism during this 7:00 p.m. presentation.

Oct 6-Oct 30 Women Printmakers of Austin
Doughtery Arts Center, 1110 Barton Springs Rd.

Self Portraits, a collection of hand made prints by some 30 intriguing individuals, alternately reveal or mask each artist. From literal to the abstract, these works speak about the individuality of their creators, and ultimately, ourselves as viewers. The Opening Reception is Thursday, October 6, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Image - featured artist, Angela Hayes, Looking Back.

Oct 6-Nov 14 Perspectives + More Time
f8 Fine Art Gallery, 1137 W. 6th
(512) 480-0242, f8fineart.com

F8 Fine Art Gallery presents Perspectives: Looking inward, looking backward and looking beyond, featuring work by four dynamic and diverse F8 artists. Artist Reception: Thursday, October 6, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Oct 8 Second Saturdays are for Families
Austin Museum of Art, 823 Congress
(512) 495-9224, amoa.org

All Programs at Austin Museum of Art are FREE with Museum admission unless otherwise noted. For more information go to amoa.org.

Oct 8-Nov 11 Inter-Glacial Free Trade Agency
Women & Their Work, 1710 Lavaca
(512) 477-1064, womenandtheirwork.org

What happens after global warming sparks a new ice age? Artist Lynn Richardson offers a taste of an altered world through her transformation of the gallery into a satiric spectacle of "post-glacial" fashion, food, entertainment and survival gear essentials. Opening Reception is October 8, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Oct 9 Hands-on Science
Austin Children's Museum, 201 Colorado
(512) 472-2499, austinkids.org

Explore science! Join UT students and professors as they introduce children to a variety of science activities and experiments. Discover the power of the tiny in a hands-on introduction to nanoscience, nanotechnology, and scale.

Still On Display Downtown...

To 10/15: Ready, Set, Roll, Austin Children's Museum, austinkids.org
To 10/15: Pequenos Fotografos, Las Manitas Avenue Cafe, lapena-austin.org
To 10/22: Helmut Barnett, Wally Workman Gallery, wallyworkman.com
To 10/23: Texas Trailblazer, Capitol Visitors Center, texascapitolvisitorscenter.com
To 10/30: 22 to Watch: New Art in Austin, Austin Museum of Art, amoa.org
To 11/5: Painted Memory by Fidencio Duran, Mexic-Arte Museum, mexic-artemuseum.org
To 11/6: Ernest F. de Soto Workshop Collection, Mexic-Arte Museum, mexic-artemuseum.org
To 11/10: 2005 Texas Prize Finalists, Arthouse at the Jones Center, arthousetexas.org
To 12/29: MODERNIST, Umlauf Sculpture Garden, umlaufsculpture.org
To 12/31: Ansel Adams: A Legacy, Harry Ransom Center, hrc.utexas.edu

Oct 12 Austin Farmers' Market
Republic Square Park, 5th & Guadalupe
(512) 236-0074, austinfarmersmarket.org

Pick the best and freshest of fall fruits and vegetables this week at the Austin Farmers' Market. The midweek Austin Farmers' Market on Wednesdays at Plaza Saltillo has closed for the month of October and will re-open November 2 for the holidays.

Oct 8 InterFaith Art & Music Festival
Central Presbyterian Church, 200 E. 8th
interfaitharts.com

The InterFaith Art and Music Festival offers people of all faiths and beliefs an opportunity to experience religious art together and continue discussing and respecting different faith traditions, while raising funds to support the poor and the homeless. Spiritual art will displayed both indoors and outdoors. The Festival features live music, entertainment throughout the day, special foods and a children's bazaar. The event will culminate with a fast breaking meal in honor of Ramadan, followed by a Sacred music Concert in the sanctuary of Central Presbyterian Church at 7:30 p.m.

Oct 8 The 3rd Annual Regular Jo Fashion Show
6:00 - 10:00 p.m.
Jo's Coffee, 1300 Congress
(512) 444-3800

It's both a dog show (of sorts) and a fashion show, but not a dog fashion show. Regular Jo's dressed in popular fashions from boutiques located on South Congress, will strut the cat walk with loveable dogs that are up for adoption. The show is free and open to the public. Emceed by Kinky Friedman.

Oct 11 Movies in the Park: Shrek
Republic Square, 4th & Guadalupe
(512) 477-1566, austinparks.org

Alamo Drafthouse is sponsoring a special series of outdoor movies in the park for the whole family. Entertainment begins at 7:00 p.m. Movies start at dusk - about 7:30 p.m. Bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on, your dog, a picnic - please do not bring alcoholic beverages.

Oct 12 Opportunities in Conservation
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Four Seasons Hotel, 98 San Jacinto Boulevard
(800) 321-5011, uli.org

Conservation development is emerging as a viable alternative to suburban sprawl and a potential solution to the often conflicting demands of the environmental and building communities. Presented by the Urban Land Institute, this thought-provoking panel brings together Austin area professionals who are making notable contributions to both our knowledge of conservation development and to specific projects that will have an influence on Austin and the Texas Hill Country. Seating is limited and pre-registration (deadline 10/7) is encouraged. Go to the uli.org for details and ticket information.

Oct 13, 17 Bond Advisory Public Hearings
(512) 469-1677, ci.austin.tx.us

The 2006 Bond Advisory Committee will hold two more public hearings to gather input on the proposed bond package. Up for discussion are two Alliance priorities - the Waller Creek Tunnel Project and Great Streets. Please plan to voice your opinion/support at one of these important meetings:

Thurs. 10/13 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Dove Springs Recreation Center
5801 Ainez Drive

Mon. 10/17 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
LBJ Wildflower Center
4801 La Crosse Ave.

To learn more about the Alliance's priorities, call Alliance staff members, Thomas Butler or Julie Fitch at (512) 469-1766.

Heads Up!

Oct 19 State of Downtown Address
11:30 a.m.
Four Seasons Hotel, 98 San Jacinto Boulevard
(512) 469-1766, rsvp@downtownaustin.com

Join the Downtown Austin Alliance for a special luncheon to hear Mayor Will Wynn (a past Alliance Chair) present his State of Downtown Address. Catch some of the energy and excitement of all the new developments taking place in Downtown and hear about the Mayor's vision for the future of Downtown and all the amazing possibilities on the horizon. Cost: $33 per person, $330/table of ten. Self-Park $6; Valet Parking $10. RSVP by 5:00 p.m., Friday, October 14 to: rsvp@downtownaustin.com or call (512) 469-1766 ext. 211.

Oct 19 Block Party + Livability Awards
6:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Republic Square, 4th & Guadalupe
downtownaustin.org

Come out and enjoy fun, food, drink and your friends and neighbors at the 2005 Downtown Block Party brought to you by the Downtown Austin Neighborhood Association (DANA). Mayor Will Wynn will present the 2005 Livability Awards. To vote for you favorites visit DANA's website at downtownaustin.org. Food provided by: Hog Island Deli, Jama Juice, The Onion, and House Park BBQ. Free Concert by McLemore Avenue.

Oct 7 Associated General Contractors Trade Show
Austin Convention Center, 500 E. Cesar Chavez
agctx.org

Red River Street will be closed from 6:00 a.m. until noon between Cesar Chavez and E. 4th Street while equipment AGC Trade Show is moved from the Convention Center.


Oct 8 Austin Farmers' Market
Republic Square, 4th & Guadalupe
austinfarmersmarket.org

W. 4th St. will be closed between Guadalupe and San Antonio from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. for the Austin Farmers' Market.